Among the terrorist groups that could pose a potential threat to the security of the SCO member-countries are Taliban, Islamic State (IS) and some other groups

A border guard in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, June 5. /TASS/. Tajikistan hopes for enhanced cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in countering the growing threat of international terrorism, Tajik Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Ramazan Rahimzoda told a meeting of the Ministers of the Interior and Public Safety of SCO member-countries on Friday.

He noted that "new hotbeds of instability in various regions were adversely affecting the situation in the SCO area of responsibility." In that context, "of particular importance is constructive and effective cooperation with our partners," the Tajik general said. According to Rahimzoda, among the terrorist groups that could pose a potential threat to the security of the SCO member-countries are Taliban, Islamic State (IS) and some other groups. The minister acknowledged that there were Tajik nationals among IS fighters, noting that "Tajikistan’s security agencies had opened 397 criminal cases against Tajik citizens under the 'mercenary activities' article."

Ramazan Rahimzoda drew the meeting’s attention to the need to strengthen the struggle against organized crime, cyber crimes, separatism, extremism and illegal drug trade. The meeting has brought together the heads of the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and heads of law enforcement bodies of the SCO observer states - Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey. The Russian delegation is led by Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev. Taking part in the meeting is SCO Secretary-General Dmitry Mezentsev.